Things You'll Need:
- hair clippers, with guide combs
- fine comb
- hair cutting scissors
- plastic cape, or bed sheet
- a volunteer who is a good sport
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Step 1
Prep your patron: Protect his clothes by draping the cape or sheet over his shoulders, close around his neck. Seat him in a chair in a well-lit room over floors you can sweep, and close to an electrical outlet. Lay out your tools and plug in the clippers. Remove his glasses, if applicable.
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Step 2
Comb his hair in the opposite direction that it grows, to pull it away from the scalp. Snap the guide comb of his choice securely over the clipper blades. #2 makes a pretty short, clean cut. If he prefers longer, use #3 or #4.
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Step 3
Cut the back and sides of his hair: Hold the clippers firmly yet comfortably with the thumb and first two fingers, with the blades pointing up. Start at the base of the head, smoothly cutting until you come to the crown of the head.
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Step 4
Roll the clippers up and out to finish.Curl the clippers up and out to finish each cut. Work around to the sides, always cutting upward and against the direction the hair is growing. Cut carefully around the ears, and avoid catching flesh in your clippers! As you cut around the back and sides, you are leaving an oval right on top of his head untouched.
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Step 5
Cut the top: Lay your clippers aside and take the scissors and comb in hand. Standing behind him, comb upwards the front hairs right at the forehead. Once he has communicated how long he wants his hair on top, snip this first section.
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Step 6
Gather the section of hair a little further back. In your comb you will see two lengths, the one you just cut and the uncut hair length. Cut the hair that sticks up past the cut you made before. Gather the next section a little further back, and cut. Continue this until you come to the back of his head, then start at the front again, this time a little to one side.
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Step 7
The top can be cut in five rows or more, front to back, small sections at a time, always getting part of the previous cut in your comb to show you where to cut and to keep it all the same length.
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Step 8
Blend top with sides: If you notice that there is an obvious and unattractive difference in lengths between the top and sides, you will need to blend it. Starting at the forehead, with the comb at a diagonal, comb a small section that includes hair from the top and the side. Cut off the point the hair makes. Take the next section back, repeating this step until you come to the back. Then start again at the front on the other side.
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Step 9
Finish: Some men like a smooth line cut at the base of their hair on the back of the neck. To do this, remove the guide from the clippers, and shave a straight line from the base of his hair, down the neck.
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Step 10
Move to the right and continue the line. Repeat until that side is done, then do the left side.
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Step 11
Cut neatly and carefully over the ear, protecting it with your other hand. And you are done!
